Going First With Love

It’s February, which means love is in the air… at least according to the stores.
Conversation hearts, pink sugar cookies, dark red roses, and handmade valentines everywhere you look.

I’ll be honest—I love it when other people outwardly show their love for me.

Who doesn’t?
But sometimes… they don’t.
Sometimes the love we’re hoping for doesn’t show up in the ways we expect, or on the timeline we want.

Instead of waiting for others to go first, I can go first.

I can be loving toward my partner, even when it feels vulnerable.
I can be kind and soft toward my kids, even on the hard days.
And maybe most importantly, I can be loving toward myself.

That might look like speaking to myself with compassion instead of criticism.
Letting my feelings be valid—even the messy ones.
Giving myself credit for how hard I’m trying in a mixed faith relationship that doesn’t come with a roadmap.

What is one way you can be loving to YOU this weekend?